Eastern Cape Residents Demand Tar Road Amid Protest in Elliotdale

The residents of Kasa locality, situated near Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape, have made their voices heard in a recent protest on February 21, demanding the construction of a tar road to replace the decaying gravel road that has connected their community since 1991. Their collective plea underscores the frustration and desperation of rural communities left behind in post-apartheid South Africa's infrastructure development.

Funani Mangaza, aged 67, encapsulates the sentiment of the demonstrators, emphasizing the hazardous state of the existing road and a collapsed bridge, which have resulted in significant challenges, particularly for the aging population who are often compelled to undertake perilous journeys to access basic healthcare. According to Mangaza, such perils only heighten during rainfall when even the sturdiest of vehicles, including ambulances, find it impossible to navigate the treacherously slippery path.

Nosiseko Phuka, 43, echoes the community's appeal directly to Mbhashe Municipality Mayor Samkelo Janda, stressing that despite decades of communication and campaigning, their simple request for a reliable road remains unaddressed.

The existing infrastructure, or lack thereof, has dire implications for daily life, especially during inclement weather. Nocingile Dywabasini, 65, recounts the grim reality faced by locals during funerals where they're forced to carry caskets for over 15 kilometers due to inaccessibility for even basic transport vehicles.

With more than 15 villages relying on the gravel road in question, community and protest leader Mncedi Bungu warns of sustained protests if their calls for attention continue to fall on deaf ears. The plight extends beyond convenience, directly affecting access to education, healthcare, and the community's general well-being.

Linda Zingweyi, a community leader, poignantly conveys the grim reality faced by residents when dealing with medical emergencies, underscoring a reliance on faith over functional infrastructure to save lives.

In response to the growing discontent and the amplified risk presented by disintegrating rural roads, Premier Oscar Mabuyane, in his State of the Province Address, acknowledged the importance of such infrastructure in rural settings. Mabuyane pointed to the impact of climate change, revealing plans to purchase additional vehicles to maintain the gravel roads and the commencement of bridge construction under the Welisizwe Bridges Programme.

The apparent acknowledgment by the provincial government provides a glimmer of hope. However, for the people of Kasa, actions speak louder than promises. With their demands now echoing through the corridors of power, residents await tangible changes that would end their isolation and pave the way for safer and more accessible opportunities.

As the South African Human Rights Commission conducts an inquiry into the state of the province's roads, the spotlight on the government's obligation to uphold the rights and safety of its rural citizens shines ever brighter. The community of Kasa stands resilient and united in its quest for basic infrastructure—a quest that signifies not just the longing for a tar road but for recognition, dignity, and progress.